Condenser



J. F. GRACE Oct. 29, 1929.

CONDENSER Filed D90. 12, 1928 Patented Oct. 29, 1929 JOHN E. GRACE, OE ARLINGTON, NEW JERSEY, AssieNoR TowoRtrHiNe'roN rinvii? AND MACHINERY CORPORATION, OE NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION yor VIR- GINIA.

CONDENSER Application led December 12, 1928.V Serial No. 325,627.

This invention relates to surface condensers and an object of the invention is to provide a surface condenser, constructed to prevent leakage of circulating cooling water into the steam space, in which condenser the cooling water tubes are expanded at both ends into the tube heads, and suitable means are provided to compensate for expansion and contraction of the tubes due to temperature variances within the condenser.

An object ofthe present invention is to provide a condenser construction of the divided water circulation type, in which the division partition in the water box is constructed to compensate for movement of the tube sheet under expansion and contraction of the tubes without disrupting the connection of the partition and tube sheet and without permitting leakage from one side of the partition to the other. Y

1With these Objects in view, the invention consists in various features of construction and combination of parts, which will be first described in the accompanying drawings, showing a condenser of the preferred form embodying the invention, and the features forming the invention will be specifically pointed out in the claims.

ln the drawings: y

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a surface condenser constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section through the improved condenser.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the expansion joint connection between the water box partition and tube sheet.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a. surface condenser of any approved construction is shown in the drawings, which includes the shell or casing 1, having the tube sheets 2 and 3 mounted therein between the steam space 4 and the water boxes 5 and 6.

of the tubes 7 due to temperature variances within the condenser, such a construction being shown and described in my companion application, filed March 8th, 1928, Serial Y No. 260,020, and executed May 26th, 1928.

In the present invention, a gasket 8 of any suitable material, preferably canvas and red lead, is positioned Vbetween the attaching flange 9 on the condenser shell 1 and the filler 10 which engages against the tube sheet 3. The filler 1() is provided, so that in case of repairs, the tubesy 7 are shortened and packed, the position of the filler may be reversed, that is, placed between the tube sheet 3 and the attaching flange 11 on the water box .6. A cylinder gasket 12, preferably of rubber, or other suitable material, is placed betweenthe flange 11 and the tube sheet 3, so as to provide a fluid tight joint embodying sufficient resilience to permit flexing of the tube sheet 3 under expansion and contraction of the tubes without rupturing the connection between the tube sheet and water box.

In the drawings, the tube sheet 3 is shown as formed Of two sections meeting in the hori- Zontal plane of the longitudinal axis of the f condenser. The sections Of the tube sheet 3 are connected by a tube'sheet joint, or oining` bar 14, which is clamped to the tube sheet 3 in any suitable manner, such as by bolts 15, and a fluid tight connection between the bar 14 and tube sheet 3, as well as a seal for the joint formed vat the meeting edges of the sections of the tube sheet is provided by means of the gasket 16. Y

v The water box 6 i divided yby a partition 17 which extends horizontally thereacross, to permit divided circulation of cooling water through the condenser. To prevent rupturingv of the division partition under movement of the tube sheet 3.under expansion and con` traction ofthe tubes, and consequent leakage from one compartment of the water box 6` into the other, an expansionjoint 18 is provided which connects the joining bar 14 and the partition 17, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

While the invention `has been above re-f ferred toas applicable to multiple-pass condensers, it is equallyapplicable to single-pass condensers, having divided cooling water circulation, and while it is shown in the drawings, as applicable for use in connection with a flexing tube sheet to compensate for expansion and contraction of the tubes, it is equally applicable to any type of moveable tube sheet devised for such purpose, an example of which is that shown in the application, Serial. No. 126,800, filed August 3rd,` 1926. Y

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific construction or arrangement of parts shown but that these may be modified Widely Within the invention defined by the claims.

What is claimed is 1. In a surface condenser, a water box, a tube sheet, a division partition in said water box, and a flexible water tight connection between said tube sheet and partition.

2. In a surface condenser, a Water box', a tube sheet, a division partition in said tube sheet, and an expansion joint forming a Water tight connection between the tubel sheet and partition. Y

3. In a condenser, a water box, a tube sheet, tubes connected to said tube sheet, said tube sheet adapted to move under expansion and contraction of said tubes, ak division partition in said waterfbox', and'flexible means establishing a fluid tight joint between said partition and tube sheet and adapted to ex to maintain said joint tight under movement of the tube sheet.

4. In a condenser, a water box, a tube sheet, tubes connected to said tube sheet, said tube sheet ladapted to move un'der expansion and contraction of said tubes, a division partition in said water box, and a flexible expansion joint between said partition and tube sheet.

5. In a condenser, a Water box, a tube sheet formed of a pair of sections, a joining bar connecting said sections, a. partition in said water box and an expansion joint connected to said joining bar and partition to form a flexible fluid tight connection between the partition and tube sheet.

In a surface condenser, tube sheets, one of said tube sheets being largery in diameter than'the other, a water box, adividing partition insaid water box, and an expansion joint forming a. fluid tight connection between said partition and larger tube sheet.

7. In a surface condenser, tube sheets, one of said tube sheets being thinner thanv the other, a water box, a dividing partition in said water box, and an expansion joint forming a fluid tight connection between said'partition and thin tube sheet.

8. In a surface condenser, tube sheets, one of said tube sheets being larger `in'diameter and thinner' thany thev other ltube sheets, a water box, a; dividing partition in said Water bemand arnexpansienjjoint forming afiuidy 

